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Thursday, 3 January 2013

GabriellaSofia's 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty... Part 2

Thanks for coming back to HauteFuture for Part 2 of my 2012 Beauty Awards (also known as my 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty!) Without much further ado...

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Bronzer...

In First Place... This year I have really learned how to contour my face with bronzer and my best ally in this has been my Hoola bronzer by Benefit. It is really quite dark, but bronzer should be used sparingly and in layers anyway, so it doesn't need to be dark at all.
Must Buy In 2013... People RAVE about NARS Laguna bronzer so this year I think I'm going to bite the bullet and add it to my collection.

Blusher...

In First Place... Part of what has made me want to buy the NARS Laguna bronzer is the fact that I have adored the NARS Orgasm blush, yet another bloggers cult product.
Honourable Mention Goes To... Although it is very similar to NARS Orgasm just less pigmented, I've been a fan of CORALista by Benefit for years because it just smells so good! Also, I've been using one of the Barry M Dazzle Dusts on my cheeks. Shade DD3 is the best.
In My Bad Books... In the summer of 2011 I purchased a MAC blusher in Frankly Scarlett because one of the sales assistants put some on me and I'd liked it in store. However, regardless of which brush I use, or how little of the product I attempt to pick up, I almost always look like I have been punched in the face when I use it because of how pigmented it is. In a different shade this would probably be a benefit, not a negative point, but with the shade being so bright and vivid I really can't manage with it!

Eyebrows...

In First Place... I have been using a slanted liner brush and a few different eye shadows to shade in my brows recently, but my favourite has to be Brun by MAC. It is a really dark brown which really helps my brows to frame my face.

Must Buy In 2013... I have been trying to get my hands on one of the Sleek Brow Palettes in Medium for MONTHS but it seems like it is never in stock, so in 2013 I'm making it an official resolution. Also, I want to buy one of Urban Decay's Styling Brush and Setting Gel for eyebrows.

Eye Primer...

In First Place... Primer Potion by Urban Decay is a bloggers cult favourite and I totally understand why. It holds onto both pressed and loose shadows beautifully and prevents them from creasing throughout the day.

Honourable Mention Goes To... Lemon Aid by Benefit is a great eye primer... I even like it without shadow over the top! It just brightens up the eyes and makes the surface of the lid look much cleaner.

In My Bad Books... Stay Don't Stray by Benefit is in my bad books because I went to the makeup counter in Debenhams recently and attempted to try some out, but sadly, the pump action of the container meant a TON of product (so much that it covered the entire back of my hand) was released. Pump action on such a thin liquid product is never a good idea.

Must Buy In 2013... I'm absolutely dying for the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed, Sin and Eden. They'll be fab for any wedding looks I will be creating in 2013!

Eye Shadow...

In First Place... My most used shadow must be Virgin by Urban Decay. Even though it is quite bland, I think its fabulous when I'm in a rush and just want a slick of liner over a cream-coloured shadow.

In First Place... I'm going to go and be REALLY predictable, but Urban Decay's Naked palette is the best value for money on the market. The shadows are super pigmented, the brush is nice and there is such a range of colours which can be mixed and matched for any occasion.

Honourable Mention Goes To... My Victoria's Secret Metallic shadow really proves that cheap palettes can be really fab. I've never been a fan or buying makeup from companies that don't specialise in it. However, these shadows are really easy to work with and I get loads of compliments when I'm wearing them.

In My Bad Books... I'm sad to say that I'm really unimpressed with Clinique's shadows at the moment. My Mom has one of the Eye Shadow Trio's but the colours are so powdery and bland that I don't think I would buy this sort of product from Clinique in the future.

Must Buy In 2013... I need an Urban Decay Naked 2 palette (or just to nab the one that I bought my Mom for Christmas...) I fully expect my Coastal Scents 252 Ultimate Eye Shadow Palette to be in first place next year.

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I will be posting up Part 3 of my 2012 Holy Grail of Beauty tomorrow, so make sure you come back to see what my favorite eye liner, mascara, lip product, brushes and perfumes of 2012 are.

Have you ever been really disappointed with a brand's palette? Do you know of a cheap palette from a brand that doesn't concentrate of makeup that you have liked? What are your favorite products of 2012?